November 4, 2016 · 8:43 am

Friday Fun Food Facts – November 4, 2016

Triangle Restaurant News

Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.

Featured Restaurant News

  • WRAL broke the news this week that Tir na Nog is returning to downtown Raleigh! Former manager and unarguably the heart of Tir na Nog and the city’s Irish community, Annie Britton-Nice, announced via Facebook early Wednesday that the pub will be opening at 108 Hargett St., just around the corner from its previous home on South Blount Street. It will be located in the newly acquired extension to London Bridge Pub. While the pub opened yesterday, the new kitchen won’t be operating until late December, so Tir na Nog will be inviting food trucks to all public events. The venue will still be able to cater private events on site. Keep up with them on Facebook here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Raleigh Agenda first reported this week that Joule Coffee is closing on December 31st after three years. But it’s only a bittersweet exit, as Joule chef Sunny Gerhart will actually reopen the space early next year as St. Roch Oyster + Bar, inspired by his childhood in and around New Orleans. Ashley Christensen will remain involved as an investor and adviser. Read the full article here.
  • We told you about it last week, but Crawford and Son is officially open. Located at 618 North Person Street, they began taking reservations on Open Table. Crawford and Son is the first project from Crawford Hospitality. Check them out here.
  • Also in Raleigh, WRAL reported that former Videri Chocolate Factory head confectioner Nicole Evans Groth and her husband, Jason will hold the grand opening of the neighborhood treat shop Anisette on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood (at 209 Bickett Blvd). Keep up with their progress on their Facebook page here.
  • In Wake Forest, got word from reader Erica Stevens that The Olde English Tea Room on White Street will be closing on December 24th. In its place will be Sugar Magnolia Cafe & Emporium with plans to open by February, 2017. Check them out here.
  • Up in Rolesville, got word from friend Jo Smith that Off The Hook restaurant has opened in the former Fitzgerald’s Seafood Restaurant space at 308 Southtown Circle. The new restaurant is owned by the McDonald family of Louisburg. Read more about it in the Rolesville Buzz here.
  • Down in Apex, got word that the newest location of McAlister’s Deli is opening next week at 1061 Pine Plaza Drive on Monday, November 7. Check out their Facebook page here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • The openings in Chatham County just south of Chapel Hill continue with the announcement from David Sadeghi that his Town Hall Burger & Beer at Briar Chapel will open on November 7th, next Monday. It is located in the Veranda complex at the 15-501 entrance to Briar Chapel. Visit their website here.

Closings

  • In Wake Forest, got word from reader Erica Stevens that The Olde English Tea Room on White Street will be closing on December 24th.
  • And as mentioned above, Joule Coffee in downtown Raleigh will close December 31. St. Roch Oyster + Bar will open a few months later in that spot.

Food Trucks

  • For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.

Events

  • This past Wednesday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced details for the “Hurricanes Homegrown Series.” The set of 8 games will have a local flare that include local art, music, beer and of course food. Un-arena-like food appearances will include chicken and waffles, State Fair burgers, pimento grilled cheese sandwiches with fried pickles and more. Details, a schedule and a list of food offerings can be found here.
  • On November 6th, the folks over at Acme will bring back the fourth edition of Salt & Smoke Festival to beautiful Rock Quarry Farm on Highway 54 just outside of Carrboro. This is becoming quite the event, as over 500 people attended last year. Get all the details and ticket information here.
  • Also on November 6th, food truck American Meltdown will host the 3rd annual Much Ado About Cheese Festival at The Rickhouse in Durham from 1-4 p.m. (VIP entry at noon). This is your opportunity to sample wines and cheeses from regional and local NC farmers, creameries, and shops. Get tickets and more information here.
  • Next Tuesday, November 8th is not just Election Day, but is also the 28th annual RSVVP (restaurants giving 10 percent) to benefit the IFC’s FoodFirst food programs. All you do is eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at any participating restaurant, and 10% will go to the IFC. Check out the list of participating restaurants here.
  • Next Friday, November 11th (Veterans Day), the Triangle Dairy Queen locations will offer a free medium-size Blizzard to all veterans and active service members. This will take place at locations in Raleigh, Cary & Morrisville. They will also make a donation to the US Veterans Corps. Find locations and more details here.
  • Friend David McCreary tipped me off to SAVOR Fuquay-Varina, a culinary event with music, auctions, great food and a celebratory atmosphere. The event will take place Saturday, November 12th from 2-6 p.m. at the Bob Barker Company, 105 N. Main Street in Fuquay-Varina. Area restaurants and caterers come together in a friendly competition. Local breweries share their current selections. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, visit them here.
  • This is really cool. They are setting up a 1,000-seat table in the middle of Fayetteville Street (between Morgan and Martin Streets) on Sunday November 13th from 12-4 p.m. to host “The Sunday Supper” to to support businesses and families impacted by the catastrophic flooding. Ticket sales and donations will go online soon. Check it out here.
  • John Huisman, aka Triangle Explorer, pointed out that Teddy Diggs, executive chef of Il Palio in Chapel Hill, and renowned author Katie Parla are teaming up to host a culinary tour of Italy’s capital. Hosted at Il Palio on November 15th, this Tasting Rome feast will feature recipes from Parla’s acclaimed cookbook, Tasting Rome, along with classics from Chef Diggs’ regional Italian repertoire. Tickets may be purchased for $125 by calling 919-918-2545 and include signed copies of the Tasting Rome cookbook, wine pairings, tax and gratuity. Visit Il Palio here.
  • Enjoy soups from top Triangle chefs as they compete to win the title of Soup-erior Chef at Urban Ministries of Wake County’s 12th annual Stone Soup Supper on Wednesday, November 16th at the McKimmon Center at NC State University. For a $25 donation, guests receive unlimited bowls of artisan soups from more than 10 competing chefs and one hand-crafted piece of pottery from the Triangle Potters Guild. Funds raised from the event will be used to feed, shelter, and provide healthcare to low income individuals. Get all the details here. 

Food Bank Corner 

  • Exciting things have been happening at your Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina! They have moved to a much larger facility to accommodate their expanded operations and the continued need for food assistance. In celebration of this move, they invite you to their Community Open House on Saturday, November 12th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. (tours, food truck rodeo and fun & games). The new facility is at 1924 Capital Blvd. Get all the details on the Open House here.

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October 28, 2016 · 7:12 am

Friday Fun Food Facts – October 28, 2016

Triangle Restaurant News

Triangle restaurant news…that not everyone knows. Impress your co-workers at the water cooler.

Featured Restaurant News

  • And so it is. A bit of normalcy and pride will return to downtown Raleigh next week with the much-anticipated opening of Scott Crawford’s Crawford & Son. It will open this coming week, just a few months after he announced he was leaving Standard Foods for his own gig. His own kitchen. His own space. Raleigh is lucky to have kept Scott’s talents and this will undoubtedly leave its mark for a long time on this little corner of Raleigh. Keep up with their announcements via their Facebook page here.

Wake County Restaurant News

  • Durham is sharing a little of their love with Wake County beginning next week – that is if you consider waffles smothered with chicken, warm syrup and powdered sugar as love! That’s right, Dame’s Chicken & Waffles will open a location in Cary next Tuesday, adjacent to the Bass Pro Shop on Harrison Avenue in the former Firewurst location according to WRAL. Check out Dame’s here.
  • The Raleigh Agenda reported this week that Tulum, a Mayan-themed restaurant, is coming to Fayetteville Street in early December and will fill the spot formerly occupied by La Volta, Twisted Mango, and most recently, San Lorenzo at 411 Fayetteville Street. Owner Alfredo Lara is known locally for the successful launch of two locations of Mi Cancun. Check out the write-up here.
  • Saw that New World Raleigh coffee shop, located in Raleigh on Pleasant Valley Road, has reopened after a week of major interior renovations (and a new logo). I haven’t been by yet, but the pictures look amazing! They even hosted a latte “throw down” last night. Check out their new space here.
  • Over in Cary, got word from reader Ashley Mills that effective immediately, the ownership of Academy Street Bistro has changed hands. Apparently, during the transition to new ownership, it is not open. Obviously this story is unfolding, so we will keep an eye on it. Here is their Facebook page with the announcement.
  • The News & Observer reported this week that down in Holly Springs things are about to get a little sweeter as Mama Bird’s Cookies + Cream, a new shop featuring handmade ice cream and treats, is set to open on Nov. 3 at 304 N. Main Street. Check them out here.
  • And a ‘happy birthday’ to Glenwood Avenue’s Plates Kitchen as they celebrate 3 years with a special Spanish Tapas party on the afternoon of November 5th. Check them out here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

  • Down in Chatham County, just over the county line from Chapel Hill, the second of four restaurants has opened in the new Veranda development at the 15-501 entrance to Briar Chapel. Capp’s Apizza opened Thursday of this week featuring a few pizza specials including their Caponata and Pumpkin pizza. Check it out here.
  • The folks over at Bull McCabes Irish Pub in Durham announced this week that they have secured RJ St. John as their new executive chef. RJ has experience from the beaches of Sarasota, Florida, to New Orleans and even to a food truck right here in Durham. Look for him to raise the bar on “pub grub.” Check them out here.
  • Also in Durham, Northgate Mall announced the addition of Chef’s House which will feature a variety of hand-breaded chicken, seafood and pork options cooked daily by Carmen and Paul Dascanio. Visit Northgate Mall here.

Closings

  • Got word from multiple sources this week that Durham’s Shrimp Boats is closing their doors at the end of business today (October 28). Shrimp Boats opened originally in 1970.
  • Also, the Triangle Business Journal reported this week that both 510 Tavern and Raleigh Roadhouse (located in the 510 Glenwood building) have been closed. That’s less than a year for both of those.
  • And got word from reader Ashley Mills that Pita Bon on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary has also closed.

Food Trucks

  • Thanks to a tip from reader Diane Dennis, I learned that there is a new food truck, Wicked Kitchen, that is making it’s area debut this weekend at Fainting Goat brewery in Fuquay. Wicked Kitchen transplanted from Baltimore and specializes in Maryland style crab amazement!  Here’s a link to their Facebook page.
  • This Sunday, October 30th will feature the “Halloween Weekend” Food Truck Rodeo in Durham Central Park with over 50+ local food trucks, local craft beer, local artists and live music. The event runs from 12-4pm. You can view a list of trucks here.
  • For a listing of ALL food truck events, head over to Art’s page, The Wandering Sheppard on all things food truck related here.

Events

  • PICNIC, North Carolina’s newest whole hog barbecue joint, and its’ farm partner, Green Button Farm, are hosting their inaugural NC Barbecue Revival at the farm this weekend, October 28th – 30th. The three-day weekend will be chock full of classes, discussions, feasts and pig pickins’. Get a listing of all the events, ticket information and every last detail on their website here.
  • The second annual Pork + Vine festival will be held on October 30 from 12 – 4 p.m. outside of The Wine Feed’s downtown Raleigh store located at 602 Glenwood Avenue. Chefs from five well-known area restaurants, including Gravy, Oval Park Grille, Patrick Jane’s Bar & Bistro, Buku and Gonza’s Tacos y Tequila, will each prepare their own pork-inspired small plates, which will then be thoughtfully paired with a pour of high-quality wine specifically chosen from The Wine Feed’s extensive selection. For additional information and tickets, go here.
  • On November 6th, the folks over at Acme will bring back the fourth edition of Salt & Smoke Festival to beautiful Rock Quarry Farm on Highway 54 just outside of Carrboro. This is becoming quite the event, as over 500 people attended last year. Get all the details and ticket information here.
  • This is really cool. They are setting up a 1,000-seat table in the middle of Fayetteville Street (between Morgan and Martin Streets) on Sunday, November 13th from 12-4 p.m. to host “The Sunday Supper” to to support businesses and families impacted by the catastrophic flooding. Ticket sales and donations will go online soon. Check it out here.
  • John Huisman, aka Triangle Explorer, pointed out that Teddy Diggs, executive chef of Il Palio in Chapel Hill, and renowned author Katie Parla are teaming up to host a culinary tour of Italy’s capital. Hosted at Il Palio on November 15th, this Tasting Rome feast will feature recipes from Parla’s acclaimed cookbook, Tasting Rome, along with classics from Chef Diggs’ regional Italian repertoire. Tickets may be purchased for $125 by calling 919-918-2545 and include signed copies of the Tasting Rome cookbook, wine pairings, tax and gratuity. Visit Il Palio here.
  • Enjoy soups from top Triangle chefs as they compete to win the title of Soup-erior Chef at Urban Ministries of Wake County’s twelfth annual Stone Soup Supper on Wednesday, November 16th at the McKimmon Center at NC State University. For a $25 donation, guests receive unlimited bowls of artisan soups from more than 10 competing chefs and one hand-crafted piece of pottery from the Triangle Potters Guild. Funds raised from the event will be used to feed, shelter, and provide healthcare to low income individuals. Get all the details here. 

Food Bank Corner 

  • Exciting things have been happening at your Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina! They have moved to a much larger facility to accommodate their expanded operations and the continued need for food assistance. In celebration of this move, they invite you to their Community Open House on Saturday, November 12th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. (tours, food truck rodeo and fun & games). The new facility is at 1924 Capital Blvd. Get all the details on the Open House here.

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